The blood sword felt heavier in Aiden's grip as he stood, the adrenaline of battle still coursing through him. Cassian was circling him now, his eyes locked on Aiden's every move. The silence between them was thick, charged with the anticipation of what was about to unfold.
"You've fought well," Cassian said, breaking the tension. "But you're not the first to survive the Sanctum's trials. Many before you have made it this far. And they all failed in the end."
Aiden's heart pounded harder. He knew Cassian was trying to shake his resolve, but he couldn't afford to show any weakness.
"What happens after?" Aiden asked, his voice steady, though his body screamed for rest.
Cassian's lips twisted into a wicked smile. "After the trial, there's no turning back. You either rise, or you fall. Some rise to take their place in the Sanctum. Some fall, becoming nothing more than pawns in a game far larger than they could ever understand."
Aiden's breath caught in his throat. "What game?"
Cassian's eyes gleamed, dark and knowing. "The game of power. The game of blood. You think the Sanctum is just a collection of trials? No. It's a testing ground for something far greater. Those who survive are meant for something more — but only if they're chosen."
Aiden frowned. "Chosen? By whom?"
The smirk on Cassian's face widened. "You'll learn soon enough. If you survive long enough."
Cassian advanced again, but Aiden was ready this time. He swung the blood sword with all the force he could muster, the blade cutting through the air like lightning. Cassian parried, their blades clashing with a deafening ring.
The two of them fought in silence, moving with a deadly grace, each strike carrying the weight of a thousand battles fought before. But despite Cassian's skill, Aiden's resolve grew stronger with every passing second. He wasn't just fighting for survival now. He was fighting for answers.
With a sudden shift in momentum, Aiden disarmed Cassian, sending his sword clattering across the stone floor. Cassian didn't flinch. Instead, he backed away slowly, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"You've done well," he said, his voice laced with respect. "But the real trial is only just beginning."
Aiden lowered the blood sword, wary of what was to come. "What do you mean?"
Cassian's gaze hardened. "There are secrets you're not ready for. But you will be. Soon enough, you'll be forced to choose a side. The question is… which side will you be on?"
Aiden narrowed his eyes, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. Before he could respond, a loud bang echoed from the other side of the room, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.
Cassian tensed, his eyes flicking to the door. "We're not alone," he muttered under his breath.
Aiden's pulse quickened. Whoever was coming, they weren't here for friendly conversation.
The door crashed open with a violent force, and two figures stepped into the room, their silhouettes framed by the harsh light of the corridor outside.
Aiden's blood ran cold.
It was Talia and Jax.
Talia, the enigmatic woman who had helped him escape his past, stood tall and unyielding, her dark eyes scanning the room like a predator searching for prey. Jax, her ever-loyal companion, had a smirk on his face, though it didn't reach his eyes. His hand rested casually on the hilt of his sword, ready for action.
"Did we interrupt something?" Talia's voice was smooth, almost mocking, as she stepped forward.
Cassian didn't flinch. "I was just testing the boy's resolve."
Talia's gaze lingered on Aiden for a moment, before she looked back at Cassian. "I hope you didn't break him. He's more useful to us intact."
Cassian chuckled darkly. "Don't worry. I don't break easily."
Aiden took a step back, his mind racing. What was happening? Who were these people, really? Talia and Jax weren't just allies—they were players in a much larger game, a game with stakes that Aiden couldn't yet comprehend.
Talia looked at Aiden, her expression unreadable. "It's time to move, Aiden. The real trial begins now."
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